The Treasury of Lives

Lha Rinchen Gyelpo (lha rin chen rgyal po) was born into family of Nyo Lotsāwa Yonten Drak (gnyos lo tsA ba yon gtan grags) who had been the ruler of Lhasa and central Tibet and who was an elder companion of Marpa Chokyi Lodro (dmar pa chos kyi blo gros, 1012?-1097) on his early trips to Nepal. His grandfather was the yogi Nakchang Chenpo Nyo Drakpa Pel (sngags 'chang chen po gnyos grags pa dpal), one of the most powerful men in Tibet during that time. His uncle Nyo Gyelwa Lhanangpa Sanggye Rinchen (gnyos rgyal ba lha nang pa sangs rgyas, 1164-1224), a close disciple of Jikten Gonpo Rinchen Pel ('jig rten mgon po rin chen dpal, 1143-1212), was the founder of Lhatel Rinchen Ling Monastery (lha thel rin chen gling) in Kham.

Lha Rinchen Gyelpo was ordained in Kyormolung (skyor mo lung) and became learned in the Vinaya and tantras. Little is known about his life. He is said to have failed to establish his authority in central Tibet, where his family had held power and influence for several generations, and fled to a monastery named Lhanang (lha nang), which came under attack by his enemies. He then seems to have escaped to Kyime (kyi smad) and built Radrong Monastery (ra grong), and also a temple called Gyeri (gye ri). He installed a yogi known as Oseng ('od seng), who was a disciple of his uncle, as the head of Lhanang. His disciples are said to have spread the Drigung teachings for some time, but the monasteries he built were eventually converted to the Geluk tradition.